Barton Brown Thornton, Jr

Mr. Barton Brown Thornton, Jr., 71, of Terrell, formerly of Mount Airy, died Monday evening, July 5, 2010, at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center in Mooresville. Mr. Thornton was born June 27, 1939, in Kingsport, TN, the son of the late Barton Brown Thornton, Sr. and Helen Lee Nelms. Mr. Thornton was a past Exalted Ruler of the Mount Airy Elks Lodge, former owner of Brown's of Mount Airy, an auto wholesaler. He was also a veteran of the United States Air Force and a member of Central United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Sylvia Whiteaker Thornton of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Karen and Robert Hodges and Lynn and Perry Wagoner, all of Mount Airy; a son and daughter-in-law, David and Robin Thornton of Huntersville; grandchildren, Audra Puckett and her husband, Brian (USMC), Russ Hodges, Jarrett Hodges, Emma Wagoner, Anna Wagoner, and Perry Wagoner, Jr., all of Mount Airy, and D.J. Thornton and Dawson Thornton, both of Huntersville; a great-granddaughter, Emerson Lee Puckett of Mount Airy; a brother and sister-in-law, Stephen and Kathryn Thornton of Charlottesville, VA; a special aunt, Peg Stelling of Daytona Beach, FL; several nieces and nephews; and a host of cousins. In addition to his parents, Mr. Thornton was preceded in death by a daughter, Kathy Lynn Thornton. The funeral service will be held Friday, July 9, 2010, at 11:00 AM at Central United Methodist Church, with the Rev. John Ferree officiating. Interment will follow in the Oakdale Cemetery. The Thornton family will receive friends Friday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM in the Ladies' Parlor of Central United Methodist Church, and other times at the home of Robert and Karen Hodges, 162 West Wilson Street, Mount Airy. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be directed to Central United Methodist Church, 1909 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030.